88 THE: ORCHID REVIEW. | Marcu, 1922. 
ODONTIODAS.. 
HE flowering in tgo4 of the first Odontioda came as a great surprise, 
for until then no scarlet colour had been seen in the blotched Odonto- 
glossums. Flowers of various shades of brown and purple were then in 
request, and high figures were obtained for any that were above the 
average in regard to the width of their segments. But the flowers of 
Cochlioda Neezliana, small as they are by comparison, possessed a strong 
scarlet colour that proved capable of being infused into the larger flowers: 
of the genus Odontoglossum. This combination, now so well known under 
the name Odontioda, has been extended, not only from primary to secondary 
hybrids, but recently much further, until some 370 different crosses have 
been recorded. This number includes the hybrids of Cochlioda rosea, 
C. sanguinea, and C. vulcanica. 
The early Odontiodas were highly prized, mainly for their novelty of 
coloration. But as their size and shape left much to be desired, repeated 
efforts were made to produce flowers of Odontoglossum size with Cochlioda 
colour. The same difficulty that has. so often occurred in other hybrids: 
again presented itself, for whenever large flowers were obtained there was 
generally a considerable deficiency of the expected colour. In other words, 
the nearer the Odontiodas approached the Cochlioda colour, so much the 
more did they generally resemble Cochlioda as regards size and formation 
of the flower. ; 
It is no exaggeration to state that tens of thousands of Odontiodas have 
been raised, and with all this experience to look back upon there does not 
appear to be any guiding line of definite importance to work upon. No one 
expects first-rate varieties to be obtained from parents having narrow 
segments, although it must not be forgotten that Odontoglossum Harry- 
anum, with narrow petals, has yielded a remarkable result in the way of 
fine colour, if not in shape, and this is to be seen in Odontioda Brewii. But 
the first-class Odontioda of to-day must possess a perfect shape combined, 
with brilliancy of colour. Exceptions there are sure to be, but, speaking 
generally, an analysis of the parentage will show that the best Odontiodas 
— composed of Cochlioda Noezliana in conjunction with Odontoglossum 
crispum and O. Pescatorei. These Odontoglossums have been combined 
in ©. ardentissimum (crispum xX Pescatorei), O. eximium (crispum X 
ardentissimum), as well as with other species, and in mating these with 
Cochlioda Noezliana, either by itself or by its hybrids, most of the finest 
Odontiodas so far seen have been produced. 
As time goes on still finer varieties are expected from the hybridists, who 
doubtless will follow closely on the lines of past successful results. 
Concerning the future, it may safely be said that the percentage of really 
